West Coast
Westport flooding: Schools ready for students to return
Some normality is returning to Westport as schools reopen but life is still far from normal for many locals, a week on from its devastating floods.
Westport flooding leaves homeowners looking for alternative housing
More than 100 homes in Westport are now expected to be declared uninhabitable following the devastating floods.
Niwa team gathers flood data
Niwa says data gathered before and after last weekend's disastrous flood in Westport will influence the design of any stopbanks that may be built in future.
Defence Force helps clean-up flood damage in Westport
The Defence Force is helping to remove flood-ruined furniture and belongings from Westport streets and homes today.
$10m flood protection scheme proposed for Westport
A $10 million flood protection scheme proposed for Westport would have prevented most of the devastation caused by last weekend's massive flood, according to West Coast Regional Council's operations…
Mammoth effort to clean up Buller school before term 3 starts
A massive clean up effort is underway at Buller High School to make sure it can open again in time for term 3 this coming Monday. OCS NZ Contract Manager for the school, Hannah Bill, has rallied the… Audio
Volunteer offers support to Westport's homeless: 'It's emotionally draining'
West Coast residents and officials are continuing to grapple with the enormity of the cleanup after the weekend's flood.
Westport needs flood protection scheme – regional council chair says
The flood that swamped Westport at the weekend should convince even the most doubtful ratepayer that the town needs river protection work, West Coast Regional Council chairman Allan Birchfield says.
Westport residents continue to face uncertainty
Evacuated residents in Westport are continuing to face uncertainty over their long term future as they begin to move into different makeshift accommodation.
About 30 residents who have been staying… Audio
Hundreds of homes unliveable, as flood protection warning issued
New Zealanders can no longer rely on flood protection barriers in the face of heavier rains, an expert warns, as hundreds of Westport residents' homes have been deemed uninhabitable following… Audio
Insurance expert: Floods a wakeup call to two-thirds of Kiwis
An insurance expert says the weekend's flooding at Westport should be a warning to the two-thirds of New Zealanders who live on a flood plain. Melissa Heath is director of Residential Risk Analysis… Audio
Westport houses red stickered, one-stop shop set up for flood-hit residents
Sixty-five flood damaged homes in the Westport area have been red stickered.
Pilot programme helps polio survivors cope with symptoms
Polio survivors in Canterbury and the West Coast are being offered free physiotherapy classes to help them cope with long-term effects of the virus.
Residents cut off by flood-damaged roads keen to be reconnected
Water levels have fallen in Marlborough, revealing the extent of the damage caused by heavy rain over the weekend. Audio
In pictures: Top of the South Island flooding
Floodwaters still have not completely receded from some parts of Westport and Marlborough and hundreds of people are displaced after water rushed through their homes.
Photographing flood waters in Westport
As the rivers started rising on Friday, local Westport photographer Anita O'Brien grabbed her camera and hit the flooded streets. She talks to Jesse about what she's seen. Audio, Gallery
Minister Damien O'Connor has update on flood damage
The Agriculture Minister and MP for West-Coast Tasman, Damien O'Connor, has been visiting the flood-ravaged region.
He spoke to Max Towle. Audio
Westport counts cost of flood damage
People in flood-hit Westport are learning the fate of their damaged homes, as flood waters recede.
Roughly one in five people living in the West Coast town have been displaced - that's about… Audio
Farmers assessing devastating floods, resilience alarms raised
Farmers across the upper South Island are on clean-up duty and counting up the costs as damaging floodwaters recede, and the agriculture minister has reminded farmers to take a thorough look at…
'Heartbreaking': Westport evacuee 'back to square one' with flooded home
Hundreds of people have spent another night in evacuation centres or with family or friends after the weekend's flooding on the West Coast.
